A new ordinance passed by the New Orleans City Council on Thursday has introduced stricter requirements for city employees traveling for work. Under the new rules, employees must now submit more detailed documentation before taking business trips, including providing the lowest available fares and rates, a written explanation of the purpose of the trip, and how it professionally benefits their role.
Council members emphasized that these procedures should have been standard practice already. “Making sure that as people are doing travel, it’s signed off on, and we have the collective paperwork justifying the travel,” Council President JP Morrell stated.
The measure comes amidst rising tensions between the city council and Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration over travel-related expenses. Earlier this year, the council sought to prevent the Mayor from taking official trips on the city’s funds following the administration’s decision to withdraw from a multimillion-dollar settlement with the Orleans Parish School Board, citing financial constraints. Council member Joe Giarrusso expressed frustration, remarking, “I don’t know how we say we don’t have money, and then we have money to go do things that we want to do. That does not resonate.”
Although a judge ruled that the council did not have the authority to enforce a travel ban on the Mayor, the council is currently appealing that decision. Some members of the council voiced concerns that Thursday’s ordinance might be seen as an attempt to bypass the ruling. “I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t another punitive effort,” said Council member Oliver Thomas.
However, Council President JP Morrell defended the ordinance, clarifying that it aims to enhance transparency and ensure greater financial accountability for taxpayer funds.
